Feed Grain Program Related to Pheasant Production in Wisconsin

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Abstract
A pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) nesting study was conducted on 12 square miles of intensively farmed land in east-central Wisconsin during 1961-64. Under the Government Feed Grain Program during this period, 4.3% of the area was retired from agricultural production, of which about half was occupied by cover types suitable for pheasant nesting. At least a 10-% increase in pheasant production could be attributed to the Program. Nest densities and hatching success on Program lands equaled or exceeded those in other cover types. On the average, 17% of the area''s successful nests were located in retired cropland. To improve pheasant production on such lands, it is recommended (1) that quantity and quality of nesting cover be increased; (2) that clipping be delayed until after mid-July and only necessary clipping be done; and (3) that longer-term contracts for land retirement be provided.

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